Hair treatment comb with a resilient handle reservoir



Sept. 8, 1964 M. K. HOFMANN HAIR TREATMENT COMB WITH A RESILIENT HANDLE RESERVOIR Filed Aug. 14, 1962 INVENTOR, I MARY K. HOFM/l/VN 22 ;A%%A %&Q

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,147,757 HAIR TREATMENT COMB WITH A RESILIENT HANDLE RESERVOIR Mary K Hofmann, 4939 E. 24th St, Tucson, Ariz. Filed Aug. 14,1962, Ser. No.'216,876 1 Claim. (Cl. 132-114) My invention relates in general to a wet-comb adapted for applying treating solutions such as 'dyes, tints,

bleaches, wave-set solutions and the like to the hair. My inventionrelates more in particular to a comb combination comprising a wet comb which imparts a new principle and improved function to the application of treating solutions to the'hair and scalp.

as it iscombed. Fountain brushes have been produced .and offered to the public. have also been employed. These, and many other devices Various pad like materials offered to the public for the uniform application of treating solutions have failed to give complete satisfaction. In general, they tend to feed the solution either too rapidly or too slowly, or to deliver it unevenly, or they may be subject to still other disadvantages.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of an improved comb combination for treatment of the hair.

Another object is to apply a hair treatment solution or the like to the hair evenly and in predetermined measured amount.

Still another object is the provision of a wet-comb brush combination providing for the application of a liquid solution to the hair uniformly and in accordance with a functionally improved operation.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the complete comb combination;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view;

FIG. 3 is an end view, one manner of using the device of the present invention being indicated by the dotted lines;

FIG. 4 shows a modified handle construction, and

FIG. 5 illustrates one manner of replenishing the treating solution.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 comprises a comb and brush frame portion indicated generally by the reference character and a handle therefor indicated generally by the reference character 11. Together, the members 10 and 11 make up the complete combination by means of which any desired treating solution, such as a hair tint, bleach, lotion, hair setting solution or the like may be introduced into contact with the hair and then almost concomitantly distributed into uniform contact with the hair at the point of application by a wrist turning and stroking motion (see FIG. 3) which brings the brush into play for a single or plurality of brush strokes.

Looking now to the comb and brush frame portions, it comprises a longitudinal frame member 12 corresponding generally in outer shape with the back of an ordinary comb, but having two integral guide ways formed by parallel integral projections 13 and 14. A plurality of teeth 16 of more or less conventional outer shape project from this frame member or back 12 at right angles to the guides formed by the projections 13 and 14. A longitudinal passageway 17 extends substantially the length of the frame member or back 12 and small generally tubular 3,147,757 Patented Sept. 8, 1964 passageways 18 extending through the teeth 16 communicate with such longitudinal passageway 17. The-passageway 17 is closed at its outer end at 19 (FIG. 2) but extends through a threaded boss 21 by means of which the back 12 is attached to the handle 11.

A brush 22 includes a relatively rectangular base 23 supporting suitable bristles 24, preferably formed of syntheticmaterial such as nylon or the like plastic. The base 23 may also be of any suitable material for supporting the attached ends of'the bristles, such as semihard rubber or certain types ofplastics. Two brushes 22 may be used if desired, but generally, one brush is adequate. The brush may occupy either guideway to accommodate its position to left or right hand use, or for forward or backward stroking with either hand.

In the FIGS. 1 through 3 embodiment, the handle 11 includes a shell portion 26 with an integral interiorly threaded tubular portion 27 into which the threaded boss 21 is releasably attached. A flexible bulb 28 of rubber or the like fits snugly within the shell 26 when not collapsed. The bulb 28 also has a neck portion 29 (FIG. 2) which extends into the tubular portion 27 and an annular projection 31 which forms a shoulder aligned with the end of the boss 21. Thus the end of said neck portion is clamped between said shoulder and boss to form a liquid tight seal. Treating solution may then be delivered under pressure from the bulb 28 to the annular passageway 17 and to the passageways 18 without leakage.

A modified form of handle 111 is shown in FIG. 4. Here, the entire handle is formed of suitable plastic or rubber material with a substantially non-flexible portion 126 and flexible portion 128. The integral tubular portion 127 is also formed of non-resilient material, interiorly threaded to receive the threaded boss 121. The usual frame portion 112 of the comb and tubular passageway 117 are provided, and in all other respects the comb may be as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. An O-ring or other suitable gasket or washer may be provided to seal the joint between the handle and comb portions.

The comb portion may be made in any suitable way, such as by casting or molding the entire device from suitable plastic material. Even the longitudinal passagewayand if desired the passageway in the teeth. A mold for such casting is expensive, and a better Way is to provide a jig and gang drill arrangement to drill the passageways 18. A slight indentation may be cast in the exposed teeth ends to facilitate drilling. Preferably the passageways 18 are small enough to limit the amount of liquid even when the bulb is squeezed fairly hard. A suitable thickening agent may also be provided in the treating solution to limit the amount of liquid fed through the teeth.

FIG. 5 shows one suitable way of filling the reservoir in the handle from which the liquid is dispensed. The handle 11 (or 111, or other suitable modification) is merely unscrewed, and liquid poured directly from a commercially provided container directly into the handle. The handle is then reattached and the assembly is ready for use.

The preferred manner of use has already been made clear by reference to FIG. 3. By means of a twisting wrist action, comb, applicator and brush action are all combined to apply a treating liquid uniformly to the hair. If desired a number of comb strokes may be used, with the handle sequeezed each time or part of the time, or a number of brush strokes if desired. The combination provides for extreme versatility in application and produces better application of a treating solution than may be had with equipment heretofore available.

I claim:

A hair treatment comb comprising in combination (a) a handle portion in the form of a single piece hollow plastic portion having a relatively non-collapsible outer wall portion and a resilient relatively collapsible wall portion whereby fluid within said hollow plastic portion may be placed under pressure,

(b) an annular interiorly threaded tubular projecting portion at one end of the handle integral with said hollow plastic portion, said tubular projecting portion communicating with the hollow plastic portions interior, and said hollow plastic portion being otherwise imperforate,

(c) an internal annular projection between said hollow portion and tubular projecting portion,

(d) a single piece comb portion having a back forming a frame, parallel teeth projecting from said back,

and an exteriorly threaded boss forming an exten- V and communicating with said relatively large diameter passageway, said small diameter passageways [i being substantially uniform to permit their production by simple available procedures,

(f) said boss being threaded into said tubular projecting portion,

(g) sealing means between said internal annular projection and an end portion of said boss.

(h) means forming a longitudinal passageway on said comb frame spaced from said teeth, and

(i) a brush releasably slidably supported in said spaced longitudinal passageway,

(j) said relatively non-collapsible portion of said handle providing for engagement of the brush with usual brushing force against the head without collapsing of the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,518,388 Cameron Dec. 9, 1924 1,956,769 Maselli May 1, 1934 2,263,475 Strauch Nov. 18, 1941 2,299,296 7 Battle Oct. 20, 1942 2,819,723 Meyer Jan. 14, 19 58 FOREIGN PATENTS 325,054 Great Britain Feb. 13, 1930 879,577 Great Britain Oct. 11, 1961 

